Game apparatus



F. L. MILLS GAME APPARATUS Aug. 20, 1935,

Original Filed July 27, 1931 17 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 20, 1935. F. 1.. MILLS Re. 19,674

GAME APPARATUS Original Filed July 27, 1951 17 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 20, 1935. MILLS Re. 19,674

GAME APPARATUS Original Filed July 2'7, 1931 17 Sheets-Sheet 5 i Juderilo'fl x 326d 927mm.

Aug. 20, 1935. F L MILLS Re. 19,674

GAME APPARATUS Original Filed July 2'7, 1931 17 Sheets-Sheet 4 Aug. 20, 1935. F. MlLLS Re. 19,674

GAME APPARATUS Original Filed July 2'7, 1931 17 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 20, 1935. F. MILLS Re. 19,674

, GAME APPARATUS Original Filed July 27, 1931 1'? Sheets-Sheet 6 fizz/2% yl ea Z :LLM 2 1 631/ 05 Aug. 20, 1935. MILLS Re. 19,674

GAME APPARATUS Original Filed July 27, 1931 17 Sheets-Sheet 7 I I, IIIIII IIIIII.

Wed Z WZZfi F. L. MILLS GAME} APPARATUS Aug. 20, 1935.

Original Filed July 27, 1931 1'7 Sheets-Sheet 8 Iii/9227?? wed Z Aug. 20, 1935. F, m s Re. 19,674

GAME APPARATUS Original Filed July 27, 1951 17 Sheets-Sheet 9 F. L. MILLS GAME APPARATUS Aug. 20, 1935.

Original Filed July 27, 1931 17 Sheets-Sheet l0 Jim? ,6??? 21 F612? 774 QLJM F. L. MILLS GAME APPARATUS Aug. 20, 1935.

Original Filed July 2'7, 1931 l? Sheets-Sheet ll F. L. MILLS GAME APPARATUS Aug. 20, 1935.

Original Filed July 2'7, 1931 17 Sheets-Sheet l2 F. L. MILLS GAME APPARATUS Aug. 20, 1935.

1'7 Sheets-Sheet 13 Original Filed July 2'7, 1931 219% W Wed Z fi .(LJJ Q6 Aug. 20, 1935. MlLLs Re. 19,674

GAME APPARATUS Original FHad July 27, 1931 17 Sheets-Sheet 14 w' 1 F59-Zj Aug. 20, 1935. MlLLs Re. 19,674

GAME. APPARATUS Original Filed July 27, 1931 17 Sheets-Sheet 15 Aug. 20, 1935. Re. 19,674

GAME APPARATUS Original Filed July 27, 1931 17 Sheets-Sheet l6 Aug. 20, 1935. M|LL$ Re. 19,674

GAME APPARATUS Original Filed July 27, 1931 17 Sheets-Sheet 17 3 T; i i Qllm,

7 47a k 1 476 I 477 :7 i 3 W 5 4 46 47/ if 114 4d x I n Reissued Aug. 20, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GAME APPARATUS of Illinois Original No. 1,912,992, dated June 6, 1933, Serial No. 553,326, July 27, 1931.

Application for reissue November 9, 1934, Serial No. 752,289

53 Claims.

This invention relates to a game apparatus having playing mechanism which may be manipulated by the operator to simulate the playing of a baseball game. The invention contemplates the provision of a game apparatus of this type which is provided with coin-operated means for controlling the playing of the game.

An object of the invention is to provide a game device having a playing field over which a series of player pieces may be moved, and in conjunction therewith and as a means for controlling the moves of the pieces, a coin-operated mechanism embodying a plurality of legend-displaying reels which are adapted to be driven by actuating the machine and which, when they come to rest, display a combination of legends which automatically determines the moves of the player pieces.

Another object of the invention is to provide a game apparatus of the type specified in which the movement of the player pieces is rendered subject to the skill of the operator through the provision of manually-operated control means for regulating the final positions of rest assumed by the legend-displaying reels.

Another object of the invention is to provide in combination with coin-controlled operating mechanism of a game apparatus, mechanism which is adapted, under certain conditions, to give the operator one or more free plays, there also being preferably provided a register device for indicating to the operator the number of free plays thus obtained.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a apparatus provided with one or more rotatable elements, and coin-controlled mechanism for starting rotation thereof, means operatively connected with said starting mechanism for giving the operator a number of free plays determined in accordance with the position of rest assumed by said rotatable element or elements.

Further objects and advantages of the inventicn will apparent as I proceed with my specification, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a machine embodying the game mechanism and the coincontrolled means which regulates the playing of the game;

F g. 2 is a side view of the machine, as viewed from the right in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a. vertical section through. the machine taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

(Cl. 194-Z) Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 with the front portion of the casing broken away to show the internal structure;

5 is a top plan view, with the casing removed, of the coin-controlled and award mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a side elevat-ional view of the machine taken approximately as indicated by line 3-3 of Fig. l, the casing being removed for clearer illustration;

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view, with the casing removed, taken on line l''l of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section, with the casing removed, taken on line 83 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a broken vertical section taken on line 9-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a horizontal section taken on line it lll of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a detail section taken on line Il-Il of Fig. 7, and illustrating the release mechanism for controlling the positions of the slides which determine the moves of the player pieces;

Fig. 12 is a section as indicated by line l2 -|2 of Fig. 11, the section showing one of the ratchet discs which rotates with one of the legend-displaying reels;

Fig. 13 is a side view of the release slides taken as indicated by line l3l3 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is a detail plan and sectional View showing the means for holding the release slides in their advanced position;

Fig. 15 is a transverse section through one of the release slides, the section being taken as indicated by line l5-!5 of Fig. 14;

Figs. 16, 17, and 18 are elevational views, partly in section, illustrating several positions of the mechanism for controlling the stoppage of the legend reels;

Fig. 19 is a vertical section showing a portion of the award mechanism, the section being taken on line Iii-l9 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 20 is a rear elevational view of the mechanism which moves the player pieces around the playing field, the view being taken as indicated by line 20-20 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary view, partly in section,

showing the mounting of the arms which carry the player pieces;

Fig. 22 is a section taken on line 2222 of Fig. 21;

Fig. 23 is a top plan view of the playing field and the mechanism for moving the player pieces around the field;

Fig. 24 is a transverse vertical section taken on line 24-44 of Fig. 23, the view showing the playing field and certain parts of the mechanism for controlling the movement of the player pieces;

Fig. 25 is a detail of the means employed for releasing the player pieces from the home base;

Fig. 26 is a rear view of the playing field, taken on line 26-425 of Fig. 24;

Fig. 27 is a fragmentary view of the player pieces and the lower ends of the arms to which they are secured;

Fig. 28 is a broken vertical sectional view illus trating the mint-vending mechanism, the section being taken on line 28-28 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 29 is a fragmentary elevational view, partly in section, showing the means for operating the mint-vending mechanism;

Fig. 30 is a detail section taken on line 3il-30 of Fig. 29;

Fig. 31 is a broken plan sectional view of the score-recording devices;

Fig. 32 is a section taken on line 3232 of Fig. 31; and

Fig. 33 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the score-recording means, as viewed from the left-hand side of Fig. 31.

As shown in the general views of Figs. 1-4, the apparatus is enclosed in a casting comprising a base 40, end walls 4| and 42, a top wall 43, a front wall 44, and a rearwardly pitched front wall section 45. The back of the casing may be closed by a suitable Wood or metal panel (not shown). The front wall M is provided centrally with a transparent panel 45 through which the playing field may be viewed, and on either side thereof with gla =s panels 41 through which merchandise. such as mint rolls 48, which is dispensed from the machine, may be viewed. Bottom wall $5 is provided with trays 49 for receiving the mint rolls which are released from the vending compartments and delivered therefrom through openings 5! in the front wall 44. The rearwardly pitched front wall section 45 is provided near one end with a manually-operated score-keeping device, indicated generally by the numeral 52, and is provided near the other end with a panel 53 for viewing the indicator on the award mechanism, presently to be described. In the center of wall section 45 is located a transparent panel 54 through which may be viewed the legend-bearing reels, and immediately therebelow is provided a plate 55 bearing a card indicating the awards accompanying various combinations of the legends carried on the reels. Secured to the top wall 43 is a box-shaped housing 58 through which extends a coin chute 51. It will be understood that the several walls of the casing are secured together by bolts or other suitable connections to form a rigid unit. The front wall section G5 is made removable to permit of ready access to the interior of the casing for filling the vending compartments.

A description of the coin-controlled mechanism, the operation of which determines the moves of the various parts of the game device, will first be given, reference being had particularly to Figs. 47. A main base or supporting plate 58, extending between a pair of column supports 59, is provided at one end with an upright 8|, in the upper end of which is journaled a reel-supporting shaft 62, the opposite end of said shaft being supported in a frame part 53 which extends upwardly from base plate 58. Three legend-displaying reels 64, 65, and 66 are mounted for free rotation on shaft 62, the hub portions of the reels consisting of sleeves which are provided, respectively, with star wheels 61, 68, and 69. The opposite ends of the sleeves of reel, 64, E35, and 66 are provided, respectively, with ratchet discs H, 12, and '53. Each reel, together with its corresponding star wheel and ratchet disc, is thus mounted for independent rotation on shaft 62. The peripheral face of each reel is provided with a legend-bearing strip which may be viewed through the panel 54, the aligned position of the legends assumed when the reels come to rest being employed, as will presently appear, to control mechanism which determines the moves of the player pieces of the game device.

Referring to 3 and l, spinning of the reels is effected by first inserting a proper coin in coin chute 5? and then pulling forwardly on a main operating handle 14 which is rigidly connected through a stub shaft 5 with an apron 18' (Fig. 3) said hub being ,iournaled in the end wall ii of the casing. A flange 58, projecting inwardly from the lower edge of apron id, rests on the forward end of an arm i5, the latter being pivoted on a stub shaft 59 carried by end wall 4 i. A coil spring Til holds arm 55 against flange 5B.

The actuating mechanism for the reels, which is operated from arm E6, is shown in Fig. 7. A lever 'i'i, pivoted at 1'?) on upright 53, is provided with a forwardly projecting 19 which carries a laterally projecting lug 3!, the latter being gaged by arm iii when the main operating handle T4 is pulled down, this downward pull being resisted by a heavy coil spring 82 comiected at one end to lever El and at the opposite end to afixed point on the frame. A rearwardly extending arm 83, forming an integral part of lever Ti, Carrie: an actuating dog 8%, which is pivoted 85 to said arm 83. and which has limited swinging movement relative thereto, by reason of a pin 85 car ried by arm 33 and extending through an en larged opening 31 formed in dog 84. When lever I? is actuated, dog 8 is raised to engage a for wardly projecting arm 88 which rigidly sup-- ported on a main rock shaft 53 (Fig. 3) the latter extending transversely across the rear portion of the machine and having its opposite ends jo n-- naled in fixed frame parts ipported from base 58.

Continuing the reference to Fig. 7, actuation of lever I? to effect rotation of the main rock shaft 39 requires the introducticin of a coin in the coin chute 5'1. a coin thus i t oduced falling into position to be by a i'carwa dly projecting portion of a lever 9! Fig. the latter being pivoted at $2 to the coin chute housing and 1. e rearwardly projecting portion thereof extending into the coin chute to engage the coin. A vertically disposed link 93 is pivotaily connected 2b 94- to coin-engaging lever iii the lower end of said link being siotted to r cive a stud Ell carried by lever ll. A pair of spring."v connected at their upper ends to link 93 and at their lower ends to a clip 9 secured to stud i l, afford a yielding connection between said lint: and lever "17.

Lowering of lever "ii is normally prevented by a lock bar 93, the lower end of which is pivot d at 99 to the frame and the upper end is slotted. as indicated at i to recarried on the lower end of a coin trip lever I which is pivoted at Iii-i to the frame. The u. 3e) end of lever M3 ca ies a forwardly-p =r-iec l1? arm I 15 which, in the normal inactive p'i 'ticn extends flush with the face of the inner wall of coin chute If attempt is made to lower main actuating lever '5? without first introducing a coin, a lug 1% carried on said lever will strike a shoulder tel on lock bar "8, said her being urged 

